Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is included among the 13 Best Blue Chip Stocks to Buy Under $50. Morgan Stanley Starts Ford (F) Coverage With $14 Target Amid Prolonged EV Slowdown On December 8, Morgan Stanley began coverage of Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) with an Equal Weight rating and $14 price target. The move is part of the firm’s 2026 outlook for the autos and shared mobility sector following the change in analysts. The firm said it is “leaning more cautious” heading into next year, expecting the electr ...

Renault (RNSDF) and Ford (F) will co-develop a new line of small, affordable electric vehicles for the European market and collaborate on commercial van production, the companies said on Tuesday. The partnership aims to slash manufacturing costs and strengthen its position ...

Core Insights - Renault and Ford will collaborate to develop small, affordable electric vehicles specifically for the European market [1] - The partnership will also focus on producing commercial vans to reduce costs and address increasing competition from Chinese manufacturers [1] Company Collaboration - Renault and Ford are entering a joint development agreement for electric vehicles aimed at the European market [1] - The collaboration includes the production of commercial vans, which is intended to streamline costs and enhance competitiveness [1] Market Competition - The partnership is a strategic response to the rising competition posed by Chinese automotive manufacturers [1]

Group 1: Ford Motor Company Overview - Ford Motor Company operates in three business segments: Ford Blue (gas-powered and hybrid vehicles), Model-e (electric vehicles), and Ford Pro (commercial business) [2] - Ford Blue generated $5.3 billion in EBIT with a 5.2% EBIT margin, while Model-e incurred a loss of $5.1 billion; Ford Pro achieved $9 billion in EBIT with a 13.5% EBIT margin [3] Group 2: Performance and Growth - Ford Pro significantly outperformed other segments, generating more earnings at over double the EBIT margins, supported by software and physical services contributing 17% of its EBIT [4] - Ford Pro's paid subscriptions increased by 24% year-over-year, reaching 757,000 in the second quarter of 2025 [4] Group 3: Investment Strategy - The investment strategy for Ford involves maintaining Ford Blue's stability while leveraging Ford Pro's higher margins and aiming to turn Model-e's losses into profits [5] - Ford offers a generous 5% dividend yield and typically provides a supplemental dividend annually with excess cash flow [5] Group 4: Stellantis Challenges - Stellantis faces significant challenges in its turnaround efforts under newly appointed CEO Antonia Filosa, with concerns about its over 7% dividend yield being misleading [7]

Core Insights - Rivian has officially begun construction on its factory in Georgia, which is expected to produce up to 400,000 electric vehicles annually once fully operational [1][2] - The factory is projected to create 7,500 permanent jobs and an additional nearly 8,000 indirect jobs through local suppliers and vendors [3][4] - The company plans to invest approximately $5 billion in the Georgia facility, with vehicle production anticipated to start in 2028 [7][14] Construction Timeline - A ceremonial groundbreaking event was held, attended by CEO RJ Scaringe and Georgia officials, although actual construction is not expected to start until the first quarter of 2026 [2][5] - Current activities are focused on preparatory work, including electrical and water system installations and access road construction [2] Job Creation and Economic Impact - The factory is expected to generate 2,000 construction jobs during its building phase [3] - Rivian has already created 47 full-time jobs and invested around $80 million in the project as of June 30 [3] Historical Context - Rivian announced plans for the Georgia factory shortly after its IPO in 2021, aiming for a larger production capacity than its existing Illinois facility [6] - The project faced delays due to local opposition and supply chain challenges, but was prioritized again in late 2024 after securing a $6.6 billion loan from the Department of Energy [11][12] Future Plans - Rivian aims for the new factory to serve a global market by 2028, indicating significant growth ambitions [14]

Core Viewpoint - Rivian's stock has shown volatility in 2025, but there is a strong long-term investment narrative despite recent sales trends not being encouraging [1] Group 1: Sales and Growth Potential - Rivian's sales are currently around 50,000 vehicles per year, which is insufficient for profitability, with deliveries slightly down in 2024 compared to 2023 [2] - The company is developing a new model, the R2, which is expected to significantly boost sales due to its lower price point starting around $45,000 [4][10] - The R2 aims to offer great range and features in a smaller, more cost-effective package, which could lead to dramatic sales growth [2][4] Group 2: Cost Management and Production Efficiency - Rivian has been focused on reducing production costs while improving vehicle quality, achieving a reduction of over $22,600 in cost of goods sold per vehicle in the first quarter compared to the previous year [5] - The development of the R2 is on schedule, indicating effective management and leadership, which is a positive sign for future production [6] Group 3: Financial Position - Rivian is not yet profitable but has shown positive gross profit for the last two quarters, with expectations of maintaining a modest positive gross profit for the full year [8] - The company has a strong cash position with $7.2 billion available as of the end of March, and an additional $1 billion expected from a joint venture with Volkswagen by the end of June [9][10] Group 4: Future Outlook - Rivian plans to launch the R3 series by early 2027, which is expected to contribute to meaningful positive free cash flow [10] - The company also aims to sell the R2 in Europe, providing a potential additional demand source and mitigating risks from U.S. EV policy changes [10]